Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sutiyoso had delivered mixed performance while leading the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), according to Commission I on Intelligence Affairs of the House of Representatives (DPR).

"He had delivered mixed performance marked by good achievements and also shortcomings," Commission I Chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyari stated here on Friday.

He noted that the bombing case at the Surakarta Police station was actually something he had missed, but BIN could not alone be blamed since the institution has no authority to make arrests.

In the bombing case, the BIN should have cooperated with the relevant parties, such as the police.

"Pak (Mr) Sutiyoso claimed to have provided information (on the possibility of the bombing), and it was not his responsibility to follow up on it. However, the BIN should have coordinated," he affirmed.

Kharis emphasized that the decision to appoint Budi Gunawan (BG) as the BIN head to replace Sutiyoso is the prerogative of President Joko Widodo.

He stated that BG had, so far, shown relatively good dedication to his job, but Commission I of the DPR will first gauge it through a fit-and-proper test.

"We will further evaluate his competence through a fit-and-proper test," he noted.

Kharis was reluctant to comment on whether Commission I of the House would endorse the appointment of BG as the BIN head. He added that each faction in the House has its own opinion and dynamism in a fit and proper test.

The House leadership has earlier received a letter of replacement of the BIN head, proposing to appoint Commissioner General BG in place of Sutiyoso. The letter of replacement was handed over by Minister/State Secretary M Pratikno.

"After receiving the letter from the minister/state secretary, the House leadership held a meeting to take a follow up step on the letter," House Speaker Ade Komaruddin noted at the Parliament Building on Friday.

He made the remarks after receiving M. Pratikno at his office. Ade said the House leadership will follow up on the letter after holding a meeting of the House factions, possibly next week.

The meeting will be held on Monday (Sept. 5) to also decide the relevant commission that will be assigned to conduct the fit and proper test.

The newly appointed chief of the BIN Comr Gen BG is expected to perform more effective intelligence coordination.

"We hope to see better intelligence coordination," Kharis pointed out.

President Widodo has appointed BG as the new chief of BIN, replacing retired Army Lt Gen. Sutiyoso.

Kharis said President Widodo must have picked BG, who twice failed to be selected as the police chief, based on certain criteria, including his intelligence gathering skills.

"Intelligence gathering is not new to BG as he had worked as a senior police officer," he pointed out.

BG, however, has yet to go through the fit and proper test by the House of Representatives.

Pratikno said the replacement of Sutiyoso was a step intended to breathe new life into the organization, adding that there is no fixed term of office for the BIN chief.

BGs appointment, as deputy police chief, has been rumored when he failed in his bid for the post of police chief in July.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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